The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-09-22
"Chrlst in the Camp"

ssCllrist In the Camp"
The Rev. j. VIM. Jones, one of the
"6ghting parsons" of the Army of North
ern Virginia, hasipublished work for
which he had been gathering materials
for more than twenty years. 1t was his
privilege to follow the veterans of the
Army of Northern Virginia, as private
soldier, or as chaplain, from Harper's
Ferry in '61 to Appomattox Courthouse
in '65. He knew personally most of the
leading officers. He mingled freely with
the private soldier in camp, on the
march, in;the bivouac, on the battlefield,
and in the hospital. DR.. Jones, there:
fore, had special qualifications for his
self.imposed task, which was to describe
the religious side of the history of the
Army of Northern Virginia.
DR.. Jones says, with truth, that any
history of the famous Army which omits
an account of the wonderful influence Of
religion upon (which fails to tell how
the courage, discipline and morale of the
whole was Influenced by the Plety and
evangelical zeal Of many Of its sof6cers
and men-would be incomplete and un.
satisfactory. 1t is subject for congrat.
ulation that one so we'll fitted should
have supplied what was missing, and
have added glorious page to the record
of as superb a body of soldiers as the
world ever knew.
Bishop Cranberry, lin his Introduction
to eChlist'in the Camp;" speaks most
feelingly of the character of the preach
ing and worship in the army. The SER
mons in the camp would have suited any
congregation in the city or country. The
style was not controversial, speculative
or curious, but eminently practical and
dirsctI gHsfs was gno.stirrlngs up Of bad
blood !. 10 prompting to malice or
revenge. Religion in the army was a
peculiar type or phase of piety. 1t had
its own form, color, flavor. Military
discipline was not unfavorable to it.
The soldiers habit, of unquestioning
obedience to; o;orders, Of trust inlsuperior
officers and Of freedom from anxiety
about things for which he is not respon.
sible, fits into the life Of faith. Bishop
Cranberry says that he:has nowhere wit
messed more complete5symmetrical, and
beautiful examples of Christian charac.
ter than in the Confederate army.
DR.. Jones covers, as may be imagined,
wide field. In the opening chapters he
shows the spirit in which the "men in
grey" went to the front, and the influence
Of Christian officers. The lofty yet sim.
plesreligious life of Gen Leelis tenderly
described. DR.. Jones then sketches with
loving hand the religious career and con.
duct of Stonewall Jackson. Then come
similar sketches of other officers of note.
The hospital work and the work of the
chaplains and missionaries are admirably
set forth. There is thrilling force in the
accounts of the Great Revival along the
Rapidan. In the last year of the war
there were, of course, enormous difficult
ties in the way of missionary work.
!, In, the concluding chapter of the book
DR.. Jones reports the number of con.
verts, and multiplies proofs of the
genuineness of the religious work. There
are most touching incidents of resigna.
tion and unaffected piety. South
Carolina holds noble place. DR.. Jones
says, with absolute truth, that the won.
derful prosperity of the South at the
present time was brought about, not so
much by foreign immigration, or foreign
capital, as by the skill, energy and
patient industry of the men in. grey and
the boys they have reared. There was
the old faith, and hope, and courage, in
another field than that of arms.
DR.. Jones's work, as may be seen from
what has been said, deserves q place in
every household as a memorial of patri-
otism and endurance, and as treasury
of Christian precept and example. DR..
Jones omits, however, itseems, all notice
of the work of Roman Catholic priests in
the Army of Northern Virginia. This
oversight can be repaired ina subsequent
edition. The chaplains, generally, were
not Roman Catholics, even where the
soldiers of Roman Catholic faith were
numerous; but there were Roman Cath.
olic chaplains in che Louisiana brigade
undoubtedly, and general missionary
work cannot have been neglected.
Charleston Sunday NeaUs.